Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO g4/10868 Z 1 ~ 6 8 6 '~ PCr/US~3/0539û
ln~lation Mechanism ~or an
In~lata~le Article of Manutactur~
Field of the lnvention
The present invention relates generaily tO an inflation and fluid release
mechanism ~or an inflatable article of manufacture. More particularly the
invention relates to a pump and fluid intake valve and lO a cover for a fluid
release mechanism.
.
Backgr~und of the Inven~ion
Recently, the use of inllatable devices within arlicles of manufacture
has becom widespread. For example, inflatable devices are now incorporated
:into a vanety of athletic shoes, as well as various other types of athletic
equipment such as protective helmets, apparel and baseball gloves. The
inflatable devices used in conjunction with these artic!es of manufacture
inc~asingly irlclude an air-impervious bladder which is manually i}lfl~ed by
:
an inflation mechanism disposed on the ar~icle (i.e., ~he infl~tion m~hanism
is io~ted "on board" the inflatable article of manufa~ure).
When an on ~rd inflation mechanism is employed, it is imperative
that Ihe mechanism be as small as possible ~o minimize interference with the
intended uæ of the article. However, as the size of the inflation mechanism
is decreased, so 1S itS ability to displace fluid and pump the same into the
inflatable bladder. Thus. a highly efficient inflation mechanism (that is. one
~: ~ 25 which completely displaces its maximum fluid volume to an infla~able bladder)
is desired.
One inflation mechanism which has been suceess~ul in footwear is
tormed of a latex rubber bulb which includes an integral one way intet va!ve.
SUBSTIITUTE SHEET
WO 94/10868 2 1 2 6 ~ 6 9 . PCr/US93/0s390
-2 -
The inlet vahre typically extends outwardly from one side of the bulb.
)isposed on the opposite side of the bulb is an outlet mechanism which
transfers fluid (air) from the latex bulb to the inflatable bladder.
U.S. Patent No. 5,07A,765 to Pekar discloses a dome-like air pump
\1\~ which is formed from a resilient, elastomeric material capable of being bonded
v\ ~ to an opening in an inflatable bladder. The pump is provided with an inlet
flapper type valve which is integrally formed in a wall of the pump. An outlet
check valve of the "duck-bili" type extends through an opening located in the
base of the pump to transfer alr from the pump to the inflatable bladder.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an inflation
rnechanism for an inflatable article of manufacture which is of simple, compact
construc~ion and operationally reliable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an inflation mechanism
~; for an inflatable article of manufacture ~hich is capable of being easily
integrated with an inflatable bladder.
A further object of the inYention is to provide an inflation mechanism
of low profile which~may be adapted for use with any ~type of inflatable arucle
of ~manufacnlre, is durable. reliable and most importantly efficient.
The Pekar patent also discloses an inflatable bladder having a fluid
20 ~ exhaust val-/e affixed~thereto. The fluid exhaust valve includes a stem wi~h an
acnn~r~plunge and~a spheri~al closure member. The component par~ of the
fluid exliaust valve~are housed~within an opening through a boss molded
integral with the bl~dder. ~ The upper portion of the component parts~
however, are exposed to the atmosphere (i.e., they are not completely
disposed within the housing). Thus, dust and other particulate matter (which
could interfere with operation of the valve) may enter the fluid exhaust valve
via this unp~otected area.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a
~; protective cover for a fluid~ release valve which is lightweight and does not
interfere with operation of ~ the valve.
~- ~
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Another object of ~he invention is to provide a means by which an
alternate inflating mechanism may be coupled eo the inflatable article of
manufaeture.
,,
Summa~ o~ the Invenhon
,
In accordance with the objects and purposes of the present invention
as descri~ed and embodied herein, the present invention is an inflatable articleof manufacture having a bladder9 an inflation mechanism, and a fluid intake
valve. The inflation mechanism includes a substantially planar bottom surface,
.
at;~least one substantially vertical side wall, and a convex or dome-like top
~:~ 10 surface. Together, the top surface, bottom sur~ace and side wall define a
hollow in~nor which~is capable of containing a fluid.
A~ fluid in~e valve is disposed adjacent to and is in fluid
commur~lcation wi~h tho iD~la~ion mechanism. The fluid intake valve
, ~ ~
comprises a substantially planar lower surface, at least one ver~ical side wall,15 ~ and~an upper~su~ace which defines a ceMrally disposed aperture a~d several
lFluid~inlet~apertures. ~he lower surface, side wall, and upper surface define
a~:~cavit~ Within this eavity, a flutter:member is dispose~. The flutter
me~mber includes a flat. circular~ head portion and a stem por~ion:having a stopmember which~ extends:through and abu~s against:~the~centlaily~ dl~osed
21~ of ~he intal~é~valvo to~main~ain the head p l~ion of the flutter member
in Glose~prox1mity ~to~:the: valve upper surface.
When~ inflation~ of the ar~icle of manufactt2re is desired~ a force is
applied tO the ~op surface of the inflation mechanism. This force creates
i ncreased pressure~within the interior of the inflation meehanism and int~ke
: 25 ~ ~ valve. ~ The mcreased:pressure therein urges the~head portlon of the flut~er
member toward the upper surface of the intake valve ~o~cover the fluid inlet
apertures and prevent fluid from exiting the same. Thus, because fluid within
the inflation mechanism is unable to pass through the fluid inlet apertures
dunng application of a force to the top sur~ace of thè inflatiun mechanism,
SU8STITUTE SHEET
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most of the fluid within the mechanism is forced by displacement iMo the
bladder portion of the inflatable article of manufacture to efficiently inflate the
same. Upon release of the force, the pressure within the inflation mechanism
drops, the head portion of the flutter member moves away from the upper
surface of the intake valve, and fluld passes into the interior,o~.the inflationmechanism thr~ugh the fluid inlet apertures of the fluid intake valve.
In znother aspect of the present invention, the inflatlon mechanism
includes a pump and a fluid intalce valve in fluid communication with the
pump, and a fluid release mechanism. The fluid intake valve includes a planar
lower su*ace, at least one vertical side wall, and an upper surface which
defines at least one fluid inlet aperture. The lower surface, side wall and
upper surface of the intake valve defin~ a space therebetween. A means for
preventing the escape of fluid from the pump when a force is applied thereto
is positioned withir; this ~space and Is biased toward the upper surface of the
15 ~ ~ intake valve.
In another~aspect. the present inYention is an inflatable article of
manufacture including an inflatable biadder portion, an inflation mechanism,
and a~fluid release mechanism. The fluid release mechanism comprises a
housing, a means for~releasing fluid from the inflatable article of manufacnlre,;20 ~ and~acoverwhich~is~received;aboutthehousing. ~hefluidreleasingmeans
is~positioned within the housing of ~e fluid release mechanism. A top surface
and~-~side ~all of the~ cover~ define an interior area therein. A means for
miung the~ extent to which~ the cover is received~ about the housing is
; positioned wi~in the intenor of dle cover.
25 ~ In yet another aspect of tlie invention, the inflatable arlicle of
manufaeture includes a bladder portion, an inflation mechanism, and a fluid
release~mechanism. The fluid releaæ mechamsm Includes a housing, a means
for releasing flu~d from the; bladder, and a cover. The means for releasing
fluld is positioned within the housing of the mechanism. The cover )s received
about the housing and includes a top surfæe, at least one side wall, and at
least one fluid escaping aperture.
~ ' , '
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~ SUBSTITUTE SHEET
WO 94/10~68 2 1 2 6 8 6 9 P~r/US93/0539~
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Bnef Descrip~ion of the Drawzrlgs
The foregoing and other aspects and features of the present invention
will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the
present invention when considered in conjunction with the a~ompanying
S drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an inflatable device for an article of
manufa~ture which incorporates the inflation mechanism and fluid intake valve
of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the inflation mechanism of the present
;10: ~ invention; ~ ~
~: Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof;
Figure 4 is a~bot~om plan view thereof;
Figure~5 ~is~a cross-section view thereof;
Figure 6 Is a slde~ elevational view of the flutter member of the intake
- ~ n: valve; ~ ~
Figure 7 is~ a cross-section view thereof;
Figure 8 is a partiai cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of
the flutter member;
Figure~9 is a cross-section Yiew of the flutter member positioned within
20 ~ th~ caviiy of the intake ~valYe; ~
,Figure~10 is a cross sectton view of ~he fluid release mechanism;
Figure ll ~is a~slde ~elevational view of a cover for the fluid release
mechanism :of Figure~;10: :
Figure 12 is a top~ plan view thereof;
25~ :Figure 13 is~:a~cross-section view thereof taken along line XIII-XIII of
~, ~
Figure:11; and : ~ ~
Figure 14 is a cross-section view of the cover received about the fluid
release mechanism.:
~'
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.
Det~iled Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Reference will be made in detail below to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should
be noted that similar or identical structure is identified usii~g identical
5reference numbers.
Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention~ an
inflatable device for an article of manufacture is shown generally at 10 in
Figure 1. The illustrated inflatable device has been constructed for use with
an athletic shoe ~specifically, the tongue portion thereof). The inflatable
~;10 ~ ~~device generally comprises an inflatable bladder 12, an inflation mechanism
14 and a fluid release mechanism 16.
Bladder 12 is compn~sed~ of a number of component parts whieh include
n ~a~ f!rst film or layer 18 and~a coextensive second film or layer 20. The first
and se~ond }ayers are preferabiy made from a lightweight, elastic material
15~ such as thennal-polyurethane film available from Stevens Elastomerics, Inc.,
Northamp~n, Massachuse~s. In ~he preferred embodiment, the hrst and
scc~d layers are approximately 0.3 mm thick.
First layer 18 and coextensive second layer 20 are attached along their
common~peripheraledge22to~for ~afluidimperviousbladderl2. One
20 ~ cxample of a suitable method of attachment is ~y~ application of high radio
cy (rf~ energy to the edges~of the fi~ and second layers. It should be
reaiiu~ by those skilled~ ln ~the~ a~ that bladder 12~ may be welded between
; coextensive sheets 18 and~20 and then die cut to the desired shape, or the
bladder pattern may be cut first and welded thereafter.
~ ~; As illustrated in ~igure 1, interior weld lines 24 and circular welds 26
are provided throughout bladder 12 tO control inflation of the b}adder in
selected areas. Because the illustrated bladder is tO be utilized with a shoe
tongue, the density of weld lines and c,ircular ~welds is relatively high since it
is not desirable for the tongue to obtain a substantial thickness~ If, however,
a bladder of substantial~ thi kness is desired, the density of weld lines and/or
~ , ,
~:
: SUBSTITUTE SHEET
W0~14/10868 26S69 PCr/uSs3/0s39
circular welds would be relatively low. Weld lines 24 and circu}ar welds 26
may be formed by rf welding, or they may be formed by any other suitable
adhering operation which still allows fluid to flow throughout the bladder to
inflate the same. If desired, aeration holes 27 may be provided in the bladder
by punching out the central portions of circular welds 26. Because the welds
are circular and do not enable air to pass therethrough, the holes can be pla~edwithin the welds without risk of fluid leakage. ~irst film 18 and second film
20 are otherwise not attached to enable a pocket or bladder tO be formed
which allows fluid to be introduced between the two films.
Bladder 12 generally includes a ceMral region 28, a medial region 30,
; and a lateral region 32. If desired, each of these regions may be further
compartmentalized tO additionally contr~l inflation of bladder 12. It should
be appareM to those skilled in the art that bladder 12 may take any shape and
nay include any number of weld lines andlor circular welds. Generally,
15~ however, the shape and thickness of the bladder is dictated by the artiele of
manufacture mto whlch the ~bladder is uldmately incorporated.
At dle upper~ portion of bladder 12, inflation mechanism 14 of the
present invention is shown in fluid communication with the bladder. With
reference now to Figures 1-5, inflation me hanism 14 is compriæd of a
20~ res~ilieM, elastomeric pump 40 a`nd a fluid intake valve 42 which are molded
subs~ntially as a unitary structure and ~ffixed to bladder 12 by rf welding, forexample.~ Pump 40~comprises a substantially planar bottom surface 44, a
substantlally ver~ical side wall 46, and a convex or dome-like top surface 48.
As shown in Figure 5, bottom surface 44 is formed by second film 20 of
bladder 12. Top surface 48 and side wall 46 are integrally formed by a
resilient, elastlc film similar to films 18 and 20. However, ~he thiekness and
hardness of t~ film u ed to form top surface 48 and sidewall 46 is greater
than films 18 and 20 (approximately 0.5 mm thick and a Shore A durometer
hardness of 85) to ~render pump 40 self-supporting and to provide the pump
with increased resiliency and shape retention qualities.
: : :
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~ - -8-
.
In the preferred embodiment, top surface 48 is circular in plan and has
a radius o~ curvature of .500 radius tangent to 728' angle descending to
1.074 diameter (O.D~). However, top surface 48 may be otherwise
appropriately sized to allow operation of pump 40 by a finger, hand, toe or
S foot. Side wall 46 is generally cylindrical in cross-section and ~as~ preferred
height ~ (shown In Fig. 3) of ~ mm. Although pump 40 is shown as having
a single cylindrical side wall, it is to be understood that a plurality of side
walls having any suitable shape may also be utilized.
.
;~ ~ Together bottom surface 44, side wall 46 and top surface 48 define a
hollow interior 5b havlng a volume of approximately 7.5 cc. Preferably~ a
resilient, open-celled foam 52~ havlng a porosity of 2S-35 ppi (pores per inch)
is disposed within hollow intenor 50 to assist top surface 48 in returning to its
original shape upon removal of a force applied thereto. A foam suitable for
: this~ purpose is open-celled reticulated polyurethane foam available from
15 ~ Rogers~ Foam, Cieorgetown, Massa~huset~ (product no. P-0155).
Provided near bottom surface 44 of; pump 40 is a fluid inlet 54 which
is~generally form~d by a void in side wall 46. Disposed opposite of fluid inlet
54 is~à fluid outlet 56 through~ which fluid displaced by pump 40 passes. As
best seen~ in Figure I,~ fluid~outlet 56 is formed by welding first film 18 to
~ second~film 20 in a;particular manner. Fluid outlet 56 allows pump 40 to be
in~luid~ommuluca~ion~ with~bladder 12 at~he upper region the~eof.
Natur~ly,~pump 40 may~be~fluidly ~M~ted to bladder 12 in a location other
than that disclosed in Figure 1. ~For example, the~pump may ~e located in any
area~which does not Interfere with the intended use of the inflatable article of25~ manufacture.
With continuing reference tO Figures 1-5, disposed in fluid
communication with pump 40 Is a fluid intake valve 42.~ Fluid intake valve 42
is~ formed generally by a substantially planar lower surface 60, at least one
vertical side wall 62, and an u~per surface 64. Similar to pump 40, lower
:
30~ - surface 60 of intake valve 42 is formed by elastic second film or layer 20.
SUBSTITUTE SH.EET
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Side wall 62 and upper surface 64 are integrally formed by the film used to
forrn top sur~ace 48 and side wall 46 of pump 40.
In the pre~erred embodiment, upper surface 64 is substantially planar
and is circular in plan. Side wall 62 is generally cylindrical in cross-section
and has a pre~erred height Y (see Fig. 3) of 4.4 mm. Although-intake valve
42 is shown having a single cylindrical side wall, it is to be understood that
a plur,ality of side walls having any suitable shape may also be utilized.
Upper surface 64 defines a centrally disposed aperture 68 having a
diameter of preferably 1.65 mm. Apemlre 68 is surrounded by a cylindrical
~vall 70 which extends approximately 1.6 mm above upper surface 64. Wall
70 is provided tO support the one-way check valve of the fluid intake valve
which will be described in more detail below.
Upper surface 64 also defines a plurality of fluid inlet apertures 72
which allow intake valve n to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere.
15~ ~FIuid inlet apertures 72 are~approximate1y 1.5 mm in diameter and are
preferab!y disposed equianguiarly about upper surface 64. Although three
fluid inlet apertures a~e shown, it should be realized by those skilled in the art
; that~any number of inlet~ ~penures may be used which allows fluid to easily
flow~into the intalte valve~
; 20 ~ With continuing reference ~ Figures 2-5, molded upon upper surface
are a plulaliy of proJec~ions W pillars 74. - Pro~ections 74 are formed
p~abb from a thermal-polyurthane having a Shore A dur~meter ha~dness
of approximately 85. Such a material is available from Stevens Elastomerics,
I nc. or Dow Chemical Corp. Pr~jections 74 are provided to ensure that intake
valve 42 operates in an unobstructed manner. For example, if a cover is to
be disposed over inflation mechanism 14, projections 74 preven~ the
undersurface of the cover ~rom coming into contaGt with the intake valve and
thereby rendering the same inoperative. To achieve the desired result,
however, projections 74 should be at least 2.0 mm in height and equiangularly
s,paced (at an angle of approximately 90) aboul upper surface 64.
:~
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WO 94/10$68 21 ~ 6 8 G 9 ; ;; ; Pcr/usg3/û539o
-10-
Together lower surface 60, side wall 62 and upper surface 64 define
a cavity 80. Wi~in cavi~ 80, a flutter member 8~ is disposed (see Figure 9)
which functions as a one-way check valve to prevent fluid from exiting
inflation mechanism 14 when it is in an active condition (i.e.~ when a force is
being applied to pwnp 40). , ---
With reference now tO Figures 6-9 flutter member 82 will now be
described. ~lutter member 82 is generally umbrella-shaped in vertical cross-
section and is preferably formed from a thin, flexible resilient material such
as a silicone elastomer available from Robin Industries, Cleveland, Ohio.
Obviously7 other malenals having the aforementioned characteristics may also
: be used.
-, ,
~: Flutter member 82 includes a fla~, circular (in plan) head portion 84
~and a stem portiorl 86. Head: portion 84 is approximately 1û.21 mm in
diaméter. From locus ;%8, head portion 84 is molded at an angle ~ of
preferably ~14.5. Stem portion 86 genera31y tapers in width from proximal
: end 90 to distal end 92. lt is approximately 11.10 mm in length and includes
: a~spher~ stop member~94 (positioned at apprc~ximately midpoint 96) which
maintains flutter member 82 in its proper position within cavi~r 80. Flutter
member 82 is "loaded" in~o: cavity 80 by pulling stem porLion 86 through
20:~ ceDtlally dlsposed apern~re~68. Tho flutter member is correctly positioned
when s~ me~nber 94 abuts~against cylindrical wall 70 and head portion 84
Iies just below interior surf~ce 76 of upper surface 64 and just beneath fluid
inlet apertures 72 ~see:Figure 9).: Because the diameter of stop member 94 is
greater t}~n that of apenure 68, flutter member 82 i5 prevented from falling
: ~ 25 through a~erture 68 to the bottom of intake valve 42. Thus, due to tne
specific structure and positioning of flutter member 82 within the intake valve,it is prepared to prevent fluid backflow from pump 40 before application of
;~ ~: a force to the same. : ~
Illustrated as 82' in Figure 8 is an alternate embodiment of the flu~ter
member of the present invenoon. Flutter member 82' is similar to flutter
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
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-1 1-
member B2 except that head portion 84' and stem portion 86' are separately
formed and molded together.
Having described in detail the components of inflation mechanism 14,
the operaeion of the mechanism 14 will now be discussed. When the inflation
mechanism is in an inactive seate (that is, when there is no forcebe~ng applied
to the top surface of the pump), air ae aemospheric pressure is contained withinthe pump and fluid intake valve. Because ehe head portion of the flutter
member ~ies just below the upper surface of the intake valve and does not
cover ehe fluid inlet apertures, air, at atmospheric pressure, is contained within
the pump and fluid intake valve. Due to the open-celled nature of the foam
member disposed within ehe hollow interior. the interior of the pump may be
compleeely filled with air.
To inflate the bladder~wieh the air contained in the pump, the user
applies a for~e eo the convex top surfaee thereof. As the top surface of the
15 ~ pump inverts, the pressure within the entire inflation mechanism increases.This~iwrease in pressure forces the flexible head portion of the flutter member
ineo direct contact with the upper surface of ~he in~ce valve 'LO coYer the fluid
~. .,
nlet~ apertures formed therein. Thus, as the pump is depressed, ~he intake
valve closes and air within thc pump is prevented from flowing OUt of the fluid
20 ~ inlet ~perturcs by the head pomon of the flutter member. As a result, the air
aving only one availablc flow pat~) passes into the bladder through the fluid
o :dct ~f the~pump to inflate the same.
Upon rdeasing the~force applied to the pump, the pump ~nds to return
to~ its original sh~pe. ~ As It beglns tO return to its shape, the volume within the
inflation mechanism increases and the pressure drops below ambiem pressure.
, .
The head portion of the flutter member is foreed away from the upper surfa~e
~of the intake valve by the ambient pressure tl) allow air to freely enter ~he
; inflation mechanism through the now unobstructed fluid inlet ape~ures. If
additional inflation is desired, the user simply continues to apply and release
force to the top surface ~f the pump until the desired amount of in~lation is
achieved.
SUBSTITUTE SHEFT
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A second one-way check vaive to prevent leakage of air within the
bladder is provided. With reference to Figure 1, second one-way checlc valve
34 is shown. The second check valve utilizes two sheets of a thin, resilient
material (shown in phantom) to prevent fluid already within the bladder from
flowing back into the inflation mechanism. Thus, an inflata~le- article of
manufacture utilizing the fluid intake valve of the present invention and the
second one-way check valve discussed above is highly efficient due to the
ability of the valves to prevent fluid leakage at all fluid inlet/outlet ports of the
inflation mechanism. Moreover, the inflation mechanism is comprised of
relatively few component parts, is easy to construct. and is operationally
reliable.
The inflatable anic1e of manufacture may also be provided with a fluid
release mechanism tO vent the inflatable bladder of air contained therein. With
reference now to Figure 10, the fluid reiease mechanism of the present
;15 ~ ~ ~ invention is sh~wn generally at 16. Fluid release mechanism 16 is in fluid
ommunication with bladder 12 ~and the atmosphere to enable venting or
deflating of the bladder. ~ile the fluid release mechanism may be located
anywhere ~on bladder 12, it is preferable that the mechanism be located where
it ~an be conveniently acuv~d by the user. The release mechanism of Figure
20~ 10 includes a housing 100 and a means 102 for releasing fluid from bladder
12.~ Fluid ~re1easing means~ 102 is securingly positioned ~within housing 100.
Housing lOO Is~pre~elably formed from a molded the~mal-polyure~ane
so that it may be easily attached~(by rf welding, for example) to first film 18.Fluid~releasing means 102;is compriæd of a plunger 104 having a stem
2 5 portion 106and a StOp member 108. A coil spring 110 is disposed aboutthe
stem portion of plunger 104 to bias fluid releasing means 102 in the shown
closed position. As shown in Figure 10, when plunger 104 is in the closed
position, stop member~108 of plunger 104 abuts against an annular shoulder
112 of housing 100 to prevent leakage of air from the bladder. The
-~ ~ 30 components of the fluid release means may be made out of a number of
materials including plastics or llghtweighl metals (such as aluminum~.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
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Securingly received about fluid release mechanism 16 is a protective
cover 120 (see Figures 11-14). Cover 120 is employed to prevent dirt and
other particulate matter from entering the fluid release mechanism which may
interfere with use of the same. The cover, however, may also serve as a
nipple or connector for use with an "off board" inflation mechantsm7 such as
that disclosed in co-pending U.S. application number 07/828,440 the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Cover 120 is preferably formed from an easily moldable, elastic
material having a thickness of approximately 1.0 mm. ESTANEn~, available
from B.F. Goodrich or PELLETHANE~, available from Dow Chemical
CoIporation are both suitable products for forrning the eover. Cover 120
includes a top surface 122, a side wall 124, a flange 126, and an engaging rim
128. Top surface 122 has a diameter of approximately 9.69 mm and includes
a 5.0 mm boss staoding 0.5 ~mm high from surface 122. Side wall 124 is
15 ~ ~ ~ slightly angled and is~appr~xlmately 5.0 mm high. Obviously, the dimensions
of ~ the top sur~ and ~side~ wall are dictated by the outer dimensions of the
fluid~:release mechanisrn. Together, top surface 122 and side wall 124 define
an Interior area 130 ~whlch~ receives the fluid release mechanism when the
cover ispositioned thereon.
20 ~ As~best seen in~ Flgures 11 and 12, defined within the top surface and
side~ wall~of the cover ~are ~several fluid escaping apertu~es l32~ Preferably9
cover 120 includes: six;fluid escaping aperlures which are equiangular1y spaced
about the common edge of top surface 122 and side wall 124. Natu~ally, any
number of fluid escaping~ apertures may be used~ which allows fluid to be
vented from within the~bladder of the present invention. Fluid escaping
~: ~ apertures 132 are approximately 2.4 mm in length and 1.5 mm in width. Top
surface 122 may include a centrally disposed aperture (nol shown) which is
:~: provided to receive an inflating needle of an off board inflation mechanism
meMioned above. The diameter of the aperture is preferably slightly larger
than that of the inflating oeedle of the off board inflation mechanism.
-
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SUBSTITIJTF SHE T
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Turning now to Figure 13, the inurnal components of cover 120 are
shown. Molded onto internal surfare 136 of side wall 124 are several vereical
ribs 138. At their upper region 140, ribs 138 engage with the side portion of
plunger 104 to provide positive interaction or contact-with the same. At their
lower region 142, ribs 138 are beveled to provide positive i~t~rac~ion or
contact with housing 100 and to limit the extent to which cover 120 is received
about fluid release mechanism 16. Preferably, ribs 138 are molded directly
beneath fluid escaping apertures 132 and are approximately 1.5 mm thick, 1.5
mm wide and 2.3 mm long.
~10 Molded onto internal sur~ace 144 of top surface 122 is a ring-like
projection 146 which comes into contact with plunger 104 when a force is
applied to the top surface of thP cover. The projection is provided to assist
in the depression of the plunger when release of the fluid in the bladder is
desired. Although the proJection is illustrated as a ring, it should be realizedby those skiiled in the art tha~ multiple pro~ections of any shape ~which do notinterfere witb the e~cape of fluid in ~e mechanism) may be provided.
With reference now to Figure 14, the cover of the present invention is
shown received abou~ fluid release mechal~ism 16. Rim 128 is recehred and
secu~ed (via rf welding~ to first film or layer 18. Flange 126 is noe flush with20 ~ first~film 18~ but instead ~rests a disunce thereabove to allow a suitable upper
ma~al (such as leather,~ nylon or canvas) to be placed beneath the cover. If
the~user wishes to vent the bladder of air contained the~ein, a for~e ~in the
di~ection of the arrows) is~appli~d to top surface~ 122 of the cover. As the topsurface is dep~essed (for~example, by the finger or hand), ring-like projection
146 comes into contact with plunger 104 to depress the same and open the
fluid release mechanism. As the top surface of ~he cover is depressed. side
,
wall 124 baws outwardly~and ribs 13~ move away from housing 100 to open
up the space belween the fluid release mechanism and the cover. As the fluid
release mechanism is opened, stop member 108 moves away from annular
shoulder 1 I2 and air flows around the stop member and stem 106 and into
sp~ce 148. The air, now within the confines of cover 120. escapes therefrom
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by flowing out of the fluid escaping apertures provided within the wall and top
surface of the cover. When the desired amount of air has been vented from
the bladder, the user removes tbe force from the top surface of the cover,
projection 146 moves away from plunger 104, and~coil spring 110 (biased
about plunger 104) brings stop member 108 back into contact,w~th annular
shoulder 112. The fluid re}easing means is now in the closed position to
prevent air from exiting the bladder of the inflatable article of manufacture.
Thus, the lightweight cover of the present invention efficiently functions as a
protective means to ensure operational reliability of the fluid release
; ~ 10 mechanism. In combination, the inflation and fluid release mechanisms of the
present invention allow the inflatable article of manufacture to be lightweight,easily constructable, and highly efficient.
Alternatively, and as mentioned heretofore, the cover of the present
nventlon may also funcuon as a connector or coupling means for an off board
~; 15 ~ ~ Inflation means. Thc off~ board inflation mechanism described in U.S.
Applica~ion No. 07/828,440 is utilized with the cover of the present invention
n the~following manner.~ To inflate thc bladder within the inflata~le article ofm~mufac~re, the nozzle of the off board inflation mechanism is disposed about
cover~}20.~ As the nozzle~is fitted onto the cover, the depressing pin of the off
20 ~ board Inflation mechanism engagcs with ~hc top surface of the cover to de~ress
ame,~ ~ As the top surface is depressed, ring-like p~ojection 146 comes into
conEct with plunger 104 to open the fluid release mechanism in tl~e manner
herétofore~described. Wh0 the fluid release mechanism has been properly
opened by thc depressing~pln,~fluid from the offboard inflation mechanism is
~25 ~ rcleased through thc nozzlc. This fluid enters the cover through fluid escaping
apertures 132 and emers the bladder through the now opened fluid release
mechanism. When the bladder has been inflated to the desired amount, the
- ~ ~ nozzle Is removed from the cover and the absence of the depressing pin allows
the fluid release means to return to the closed-position to seal ~he inflating
3 0 ~ fluid within the bladder. Thus, when the fluid release mechanism and cover
are also used a conneclor for an off board inflation mechanism, the resulting
,
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article of manufacture is lightweight, requires less assembly of component
parts. and is highly efficient.
The ~oregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration only. It is not
S intended to be exhaustive or to limit it to the precise fo~m-disclosed.
Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made in light of the
above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the ~nvention by defined by
the claims appended hereto.
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